From the moment astronauts arrive, every day onboard the ISS is an exciting, challenging and stimulating experience. Every corner and cranny of ISS reveals a mini-miracle of science. Initially, ISS can seem an intimidating place to work, harbouring a wealth of complicated equipment, a multitude of more than 50 computers and more than 12 km of electrical wiring & the challenge of living in microgravity.
ISS is basically your home as well as your office, for months at a time where you work hard, perform experiments, eat, sleep, exercise and spend time with colleagues. Life on board rapidly falls into a routine and becomes normal, even though only a few millimeters of aluminium protect you from the vacuum of space.
This normalization process is essential. In order to function efficiently and productively as a crew member on the ISS, you can’t be constantly distracted by the amazement and wonder of circling the planet 16 times a day while travelling at ten times the speed of a bullet–as thrilling as that is.